Shameless Review: Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good…Eh, Screw It (Season 11 Episode 6)

For fans of Mickey Milkovich, Shameless Season 11 Episode 6, “Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good…Eh, Screw It” is one of the best episodes to show his emotional range.

For other fans, this episode probably falls somewhere in the middle with a moment that goes way too far and brings down the whole vibe of the episode.

It’s been said many times that Noel Fisher is the true star of this show with all his microexpressions and emotional eyes. In fact, he says more with his eyes than with words — it’s Emmy worthy if only others could see it.

With Terry coming home from the hospital completely crippled from the neck down, Shameless has the opportunity to really address the conflicted feelings Mickey has about his father. This watershed moment between these two warring characters is the most successful Mickey Milkovich scene of all time (even better than his coming out). 

For the first time in over a decade, Terry is terrified of his son because he knows that he is completely defenseless. Fans wouldn’t blame Mickey if he does decide to pull that trigger and end the man’s life completely. 

However, as Mickey has shown us over the years, he’s better than his beginnings. Mickey knows the difference between right and wrong — even if he doesn’t always follow the letter of the law. 

Despite what his father has down to him, and maybe in spite of it, Mickey turns from the opportunity and walks away. Later on, when he helps his father onto the porch his words after make everyone stop and clutch their chest in sympathy.

Mickey tells Ian he wants to show everyone he is the bigger man, that he is better than his father and his husband reassures him he is. His eyes are holding back tears which makes the whole scene that much more impactful.

Fisher allows us to see that Mickey is conflicted because here is a man that he still somewhat loves despite all the torture the man put him through over the years. It’s a connective moment for so many viewers who have toxic relationships with family members. 

For the first time this season, and maybe in their entire relationship, Ian seems to see that conflict in Mickey’s heart and supports him in it. Ian is always trying to compare Frank’s behavior toward him with that of Terry’s to Mickey, but now, I think Ian really sees that there is no comparison — that there doesn’t need to be in order to support and love Mickey.

Even people who are homophobic racists don’t deserve to have a life of torture and paralysis wished upon them. It’s a complicated situation that easily could have gone the way of Mickey taking his father’s road, but it’s better for the character that he rises above and lets the man be. 

It sends the correct message that as people, we shouldn’t do to those who have wronged us as they have done to us. 

Unfortunately, that message doesn’t extend to mass shooters, I am afraid. As a fan of the show, I have forgiven it about so many things because well it’s in the title, Shameless is without shame.

However, the active shooter drill scenes are above and beyond anything ever needed to be covered on a TV series. By showing children actively being given a gun and told to run the halls as a shooter, the show is poking fun at a very serious problem in our country. 

Mass shootings happen way too often in our country for anyone to ever make light of them, and for Shameless to take it a step farther and have an adult tell the children they can’t be the shooter because they aren’t a white male is perpetuating the situation even further. 

Honestly, if I wasn’t already so invested in this show, the active shooter drill would turn me off this show completely. It is unnecessary and, frankly, I’m glad V stands up to them about how wrong it is. 

There is a point to be made about how children of color don’t need more reasons to feel they aren’t safe anywhere. Yes, school shootings are a problem, but why must this show take the drill a step further than just taking cover in their classrooms?

There are so many other ways the discussion of PE hours being cut due to budgetary constraints can be organically addressed on the show. This is a complete fail.

Let’s bring it back to how Shameless wins this episode with the handling of Frank’s illness. Since the season premiere, it’s alluded that Frank is losing his faculties. 

Now that we have a clear diagnosis it is a heartbreaking realization that for the first time ever, fans feel bad for Frank. Sure, he’s made his own bed but dementia is rough — something we wouldn’t wish on anyone.

Huh, something we were just saying about Terry. It’s great that Shameless makes that connection by having Frank and Terry share a scene. 

Frank and Terry have run the southside for decades and now they are both mere shells of the loathsome individuals they once were. As Frank says, they should probably be put out of their misery, but neither of them like each other enough to do that. 

It’s a turning point for both characters. They are now at the mercy of their families who they’ve been the worst to this whole time.

Their illnesses will truly test the faith and loyalty of family.

Shameless Thoughts:

• Mickey is a genius with numbers. I don’t ever want to hear anyone say my boy isn’t smart.
• I’m worried for Lip. He could easily stay off the wagon if things continue to not work out for him.
• While selling the Gallagher house would be an ideal closing of the chapter for this family, I’m not sure it’s best for everyone — where would Liam go?
• I’m sure we are all supposed to go “awww” at Debbie and Sandy exchanging “I Love You”, but that’s a no from me. Debbie is emotionally manipulative, Sandy deserves better.

What did you think of this episode of Shameless? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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Shameless airs Sundays at 9/8c on Showtime.

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